A black Mercedes sped along Pacific Coast Highway 1 in Santa Monica.
"Boss, Fox Searchlight Pictures and Focus Features have sent files, inviting us to discuss the distribution of lost in translation!"
"Alright!"
After receiving the call, Charles entered Sunset Boulevard and returned to Capet Pictures.
Charles first went to the 20th Century Fox headquarters in Century City, where Fox Searchlight Pictures's office was also located.
"Mr. Capet, Mr. Steve Gilula is currently in a meeting, please wait a moment," an assistant clerk led Charles into the waiting room.
Steve Gilula was one of the co-presidents of Fox Searchlight Pictures, specifically responsible for film marketing, including distribution.
Since he had to wait, Charles waited, sitting on the sofa in the waiting room, and soon, the same clerk brought him a cup of coffee.
Forty minutes, Charles quietly waited for forty minutes before finally meeting Steve Gilula.
"Charles, I didn't expect you to be so young! We've seen lost in translation. The film is a bit dull and lacks passion. Perhaps it will attract some people with similar marital lives, but probably not too many."
Charles nodded in agreement, "The audience should be married individuals over 35, and it indeed has very little appeal to teenagers!"
"If Fox Searchlight Pictures wishes to acquire the North American screening rights and DVD rights for lost in translation, what would be the cost?"
Charles shook his head, politely refusing: "It won't be sold outright. Capet Pictures is looking for a theatrical distribution agent for lost in translation."
Steve Gilula thought for a moment and said, "There are two options. First, Fox Searchlight Pictures charges a 33% distribution agency fee, which includes all promotional and distribution expenses for the film; second, we charge an 18% distribution commission, and Capet Pictures would be responsible for the distribution expenses incurred."
Charles was stunned, shook his head, this was too far from his bottom line.
"25% distribution agency fee including distribution costs or 12% distribution commission, Capet Pictures can contribute half of the promotional and distribution costs."
Fox Searchlight Pictures didn't want to take any risk at all, not even wanting to advance the promotional and distribution costs? Were they afraid the box office would flop and they wouldn't even recoup the promotional and distribution costs?
Since the two parties couldn't agree, Charles quickly left Century City.
In the afternoon, Charles went to Universal City Plaza Street again, where a distribution manager from Focus Features received him.
"A 30% distribution agency fee from the box office, with all distribution costs incurred belonging to Focus Features;"
"Or, an 18% distribution commission, with distribution costs borne by Capet Pictures, although Focus Features would advance these distribution costs upfront and deduct them from the revenue later."
lost in translation is an art film, with no star power, and a slow-paced plot, so distribution costs would certainly not be high.
"A 15% distribution commission, and lost in translation must open in no fewer than 200 theaters, with promotional expenses not less than 2 million US dollars!" Charles stated his conditions, which were his bottom line.
Otherwise, Charles would really have to take lost in translation to film festivals.
Ultimately, Focus Features agreed to Charles's proposed 15% distribution commission.
"I hope lost in translation can be released in December of this year!"
"So urgent, for awards! Three months or so is enough. Focus Features doesn't have many films this year," it was just a small-budget art film. If it weren't for the requirement of the number of opening theaters, according to Focus Features' usual practice, this film would certainly only open in a few dozen theaters at most, waiting for word-of-mouth to ferment.
Was Charles aiming for awards? To say yes, there were reasons for that. After Golden Globe Awards and Oscar nominations or awards, there would still be an improvement in the film's brand.
Overseas distribution, DVDs, etc., could also be priced higher then! Besides, an earlier release also means an earlier return on investment!
After leaving Universal City, Charles immediately informed director Sofia Coppola of this news.
"Charles, you're amazing!" Sofia Coppola hugged Charles tightly and gave him a big kiss.
"I thought I'd have to wait until next year, I don't know when it would be released. It seems that my big fat greek wedding, which you developed earlier, has had an effect."
"Alright, Sofia, lost in translation has very delicate emotions and good visuals," Charles said with a sigh,
"I just don't know if Focus Features will allocate resources to increase its distribution efforts."
"It doesn't matter, getting it into theaters first, so audiences can appreciate it, is the most important thing," Although Sofia Coppola has been married for two years now, her love for her film career has grown stronger, while her family's importance has clearly diminished greatly.
Subsequently, Focus Features and Capet Pictures signed the distribution contract for lost in translation, and it began its North America release on [date not specified in original text].
Many films are released in December, most of which are certainly cannon fodder. Whether lost in translation can withstand the pressure depends on the quality of the film.
At the same time, Cape Fund, which spent 12 million US dollars to acquire a % stake in Netflix, also became a major shareholder of the listed company Netflix.
He also specifically discussed the market prospects of online DVD rental with Netflix's founders, after all, the current DVD industry overlord Blockbuster is not something that tiny Netflix can contend with.
Santa Monica.
Charles sat on the sofa in the living room, reading the business newspaper in his hand. WorldCom went bankrupt, surpassing last year's Enron bankruptcy case, becoming the largest bankrupt company in the United States to date.
Last year's Enron scandal, due to fraud, also brought down Arthur Andersen, one of the world's five largest accounting firms; this year's WorldCom incident further exacerbated the scandal of American financial institutions and financial regulatory authorities.
After the tech stock crash and 9/11, the main policies of the United States to combat the economic downturn were to stimulate real estate, lower home purchase audit standards, and continuous interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.
Wall Street investors will have more hot money flowing to Hollywood studios. Charles needs to think about how to raise capital to support his dream of distribution.
One must be strong oneself. As long as Capet Pictures' performance is excellent, investment funds will naturally approach him seeking investment.
Simply being a production company is not Charles's goal. The top of the film and television industry are the major distributors.
Charles knew that soon, Wall Street would come up with a slate financing model, and Legendary Entertainment and Relativity Media were among the best.
Investing in a large number of films at once to reduce risk, the return rates of major studios were also not lower than some investment funds.
Resume and achievements, these are the conditions Charles currently lacks the most!